From Grenada, we fly to Barcelona and stay at the Gaudi Hotel, located in one of Barcelona's most popular district, Las Ramblas. The hotel is a tribute to Barcelona architect Antonio Gaudí famous for his gothic and hallucinatory designs.

The hotel is located right in front of Palau Guell, the Gaudi-designed private palace, now partially opened to visitors.

We visit Palau Guell, which is a palace designed by Antoni Gaudi for Count Eursebi Guell in 1886. Gaudi was given an unlimited budget to build this residence and meeting place for social and community events, but to this day, it remains uncompleted. 

The wildly designed front entrance of Palau Guell boasts a parabolic arch and intricate patterns of forged iron-work resembling seaweed and in some parts a horsewhip.

The basement was used as a stable or to store horse carriage.

Barcelona is bursting with energy.

We all wear the color of bright sunshine, an homage to this city, and a reflection of our cheery mood... Indeed we break out in laughter throughout the day...

We walk around in Las Ramblas area, and stop by the phenomenal Barcelona market, which is one of the highlights of the city and for which I have devoted a separate Tabblo... a must see!

We follow our Gaudi path and visit La Sagrada Familia which broke ground in 1882, under Gaudi's direction until his death in 1926. As proof of his dedication to this project, he lived in a crypt on site.

After he passed away, work continued on the church based on Gaudí's general plan and studies. Unlike many churches which were burned, it survived during the Spanish Civil War. It is still unfinished today (note the cranes and scaffolding in various photographs below)  It is an interesting mix of Modernista elements and a unique version of the Gothic style.

On one of the 3 facades of the church, there is the scene of the nativity, framed by six music-playing angels.

The bases where I'm sitting in one of the photos below, are a tortoise and a turtle, symbols of the stability of the cosmos.

It is sad to know that Gaudi's suffered a sad ending. He was so obsessed by his work that he didn't take care of himself and deprived himself of food for days, and was dressed like a pauper. After being struck by a tram, people mistook him for a homeless person and took him to a pauper's hospital where he died by the time his friends found him.

We can't thank enough our sister Nhu Mai who has arranged this perfect trip....

In pursuit of Gaudi's work, we pass by Casa Milà (above) built in 1905. The building is part of the UNESCO World Heirtage Site. If you visit Barcelona for the first time, a good way to explore the city is to purchase an unlimited trips ticket that allows you to commute by subway and by bus all day or all week.

Another highlight of the trip is the Picasso Museum which features extraordinary and important work by the master, from paintings to sculptures, throughout his artistic evolution. A section is devoted to Picasso's fascinating interpretation of Velazquesz' Las Meninas.

We spend a relaxing afternoon at Barcelona's ocean side, people watching and enjoying the fresh air.

Along the beach, there is a row of restaurants and lounges,  a few of them are the favorite haunts of celebrities and movie stars.

We pass by Christopher Columbus statue, not far from the beach

We dine at Los Caracoles, a little restaurant in the area, which is packed. To enter the dining room, one would have to squeeze past the bar area and the open kitchen. As indicated by its name, the specialty is escargots, but all dishes are absolutely delicious. The Sangria is also just right...

You can't walk past couple of stores before passing ice cream parlors or gelato bars... The selection of flavors is tantalizing...

A couple of blocks away on La Rambla Avenue, stands La Escriba, a famous pastry & chocolate shop and cafe with wonderfully decadent confectionery...